Inaugurating and laying foundation stones of 15 development projects including three power plants in seven districts, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday asked the authorities concerned to complete all schemes properly and timely for rapid development of the country.

"We have already executed massive uplift work across the country, while the work on many projects is underway in every area. So I would like to tell all concerned to finish all ongoing schemes properly and timely for accelerating the pace of development," she said.

The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating and laying the foundation stones of the 15 development schemes through videoconferencing from her official Ganobhaban residence here this noon.

The power plants that were inaugurated today by the Prime Minister are Ashuganj 225 Megawatt Combined Cycle Power Plant, United Ashuganj 200-MW Modular Power Plant and Ashuganj Midland 51-MW Power Plant.

With the opening of the three power plants in Ashuganj, the country touched the landmark of century of setting up new power plants during the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina . Since assumption of office by the government in 2009, 73 new power plants were constructed in the last six and a half years.

While talking about the power sector development in the country, the Prime Minister noted that there was a severe crisis of electricity when her government took office in 2009.

"At that time, we took some steps to solve the electricity crisis in the country and we are delighted now that Bangladesh hit a "century" like the cricket of establishing power plants during the period of my government...it's a huge achievement," she said.

In this connection, Sheikh Hasina expressed her firm resolve to exceed the target of 20,000 MW electricity by 2021. "We have firm belief that we could be able to produce 24,000 MW electricity during the period," she said.

The Prime Minister said her government initially took steps for setting up small power plants, but later undertook some mega projects for establishing power plants which need time to be completed.

"We have been striving so that the country never witnesses power shortage," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said not only power sector, the country witnessed massive development in other sectors including agriculture, infrastructure, health, food security and environment.

In reply to the greetings extended to her for receiving the "Champions of the Earth Award", the Prime Minister urged all concerned to plant trees massively to protect environment.

She also requested the authorities concerned to keep a water reservoir while undertaking projects.

The Prime Minister said Bangabandhu liberated the country with a dream of establishing a prosperous and developed country free from hunger and poverty.

"We have been working to materialise that dream and we want to accelerate the pace of development by using technology," she said.

In this connection, she said she wants to remain as Sheikh Hasina, nothing else. "My only work is to establish hunger and poverty-free Bangladesh as dreamt by Bangabandhu," she said.

During the inauguration and laying foundation of the development projects across the country, the Prime Minister talked to ministers, parliament members, political leaders and government officials at Sylhet, Chittagong, Habiganj, Manikganj and Brahmanbaria DC Offices and the Department of Food in Dhaka through videoconferencing.

Talking about newly constructed roads and highways, Sheikh Hasina said the road communication network of the country would be developed further, while transportation of local products would be easier following the inauguration of these roads and highways.

After inaugurating the Kazir Bazar Bridge over Surma river in Sylhet, the Prime Minister said her government implemented various development programs to turn the divisional city into a most modern one.

She hoped that with the inauguration of the bridge traffic congestion in the area would be eased significantly and people of both the sides would be benefitted immensely.

Opening newly constructed Jananetri Sheikh Hasina Hall and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall at Chittagong University, she said more dormitories will also be constructed for the teachers and employees of the university.

In this connection, Sheikh Hasina said her government put highest importance on education to build an illiteracy and poverty-free Bangladesh as dreamt by Bangabandhu.

The Prime Minister said the aim of her government is to make it sure that Bangladesh will run with dignity and keeping its head high.

About the state-owned Modern Flour Mill in Postagola and activities of Bangladesh Nirapod Food authority, Sheikh Hasina said these would be a milestone in ensuring food security.